Jar capping apparatus



May 12, 1953 J. BOWEN JAR CAPPING APPARATUS l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 7, 1949 May 12, 1953 J. BOWEN 2,638,258

JAR CAPPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 7, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 w l l 3,1

-INVENT0R.

,Bowen May 12, 1953 1 J. BOWEN 2,638,258

JAR CAPPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 7, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. gje fi 020 124 BY w/f W M1? May 12, 1953 J. BOWEN 2,638,258

JAR CAPPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 7, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. J51? 20106 77/ May 12 1953 J. BOWEN JAR CAPPING APPARATUS l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 7, 1949 May 12, 1953 J BOWEN 2,638,258

JAR CAPPING APPARATUS I 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 7, 1949 May 12, 1953 J. BOWEN 2,638,258

JAR CAPPING APPARATUS 1O Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 7, 1949 INVENTOR.

cJe ,Bozuen' BY I W? May 12, 1953 .s. BOWEN 2,638,258

JAR CAPPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 7, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented May 12, 1953 Joe Bowemfluntington,

W. Va. assignor to Alexander H. Kerr andCompany, Incorporated, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application December 7, 1949, Serial No. 131, 04

' This invention relates to apparatus for applying caps to jars, and more especially to apparatus for applying caps to empty jars such as are typified by well-known mason jars.

"Before shipping jars of the character indicated from the factory where they are made, it is the practice to apply caps; the caps being only loosely applied so thatthey may be readily removed when the jar'reaches the customer who will fill the jar with fruit, vegetable or other materi al for preservation, storage, and other purposes. 7 By applying caps tothe jars before they leave'the factory the interior of the jar is'kept in'the condition of internal cleanliness in which it leaves the factory.

The apparatus forming the subject matter of this application simultaneously applies caps to a predetermined number'of jars, for example, 12 jars contained in a corrugated paper board shipping carton' or the like, wherein the jars are held in a predetermined orderly relationship.

The main objects of the invention are to provide mechanism for automatically and speedily applying caps to jars; to provide mechanism whereby caps, especially screw-on caps, may be applied in a'loosely attached manner so as to permit the caps to be readily removed when desired; to provide mechanismwhichis capable I of applying two-part ring and disc caps in which the disc part is clampedto the mouth end of a jar by the ring including those in which the ring is of the screw-on type; of the character indicated which will automatically deliver sets or cartons of jars and position; the same in predetermined position with reference to the'cap-applying mechanism so as to facilitate functioning of the latter; to provide apparatus of the character indicated which is automatically continuously operable to apply caps to successive groups or cartons of jarssuc cessively delivered to predetermined cap-applying position; to provide mechanism of the character indicated which is adjustable so as to be adapted to the application of caps to jars of different sizes and capacities; and to providesuch apparatus whereby caps may be screwed on the mouth ends of jars but wherein provision is made for lpreventing excessive tightening of the caps onthe jars. V 1 .In general, it is theobject of the present invention' to provide an automatic fast operating jar cap applying apparatus of the character indicated," and other objects and advantages of the .invention will be understood by reference to the followingspecification and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, of which there are sheets, Fig. .1' is an end elevation looking at the jar entering end of the a pa atus;

: Fig 2 'is' aplan; Figs. '3 and 4 are side 'to provide apparatus 19 Claims. (Cl. 22688) of the left and right sides of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of the mechanism appearing in Fig. 1 but showing the parts" on an enlarged scale and in a changed position;

Fig. 6is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 1-"I of Fig. 2; 7 Figs. 8"and 9 are plan and side 'elevational views respectively of cap feeding mechanism, portions of which are shown also in Figs. 1, 3 and 5; Fig. 100:. is a more or less diagrammatic view illustrating the general scheme of the apparatus;

Fig. 10b is a more or less diagrammatic representation of a type of two-part cap which-may be applied to jars by the present apparatus;

elevations respectively I Fig. 11 is a piping diagram;

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are more or less schematic illustrations of the method and operation of means for controlling the delivery of cartons 0 jars to the cap-applying mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a cross section on th line Fig. 2; Fig. 16 is a plan corresponding to a portion of Fig. 2 but showing a modified arrangement and Fig. 1'7 is a fragmentary side elevation corresponding to a portion-of Fig. 3 but showing the parts in a changed position.

Referringfirst to Figs. 10a. and 102), there is there represented a conveyor belt [6 suitably driven and adapted for thepurpose of feeding to predetermined position a carton l1 containing jars H3. The jars l8 may be new jars packed in the carton I! for shipping purposes and the purpose of the machine is to apply caps to the open upper ends of the jars.

A now very popular type of cap isrepresented in Fig.- 10b as comprising an annular ring member 19 and a disc member 20, these parts being separate and so formed that when the ring member lflis screwed down on a jar, the peripheral portion of the disc member 20 will be forced into tight, leak-proof contact with the mouth end of the jar, suitable sealing composition being usu-' ally provided on said peripheral portion of the disc 20. The apparatus may also be employed for applying the more conventional one-piece metal caps which are usually'lined with a glass lining disc-and sealed on the jar by means of a rubber or like ring positioned between the peripheral flange of the screw threadedside wall of the cap and a shoulder portion of the jar. Caps of this latter conventional construction have the liners firmly seated therein so that such caps may be considered one-piece caps so far as handling thereof is concerned. The twoepiece caps of the type shown in Fig. 10b offer special problems of handling inasmuch as the two parts are not inter-attached but are readily separable and freely movable relative to each other. As will hereinafter appear,'the apparatus herein "shown veyor structure;

in Fig. 10a, cap delivery means comprising upper,

intermediate and lower conveyors 21,12, and 23 respectively, which are continuously propelled: Caps may be hand or otherwise fed. to; the receiving end portions of the: c o n.-.ve{.0rs;v the: C011?- veyors 22 and 23 respectively having their; receiving end portions extended. beyondthe immediately overlying conveyor as represented in Fig.

a, to facilitate deposit of caps thereon. The;

caps are propelled by said conveyors and are discharged: herefromr down, incline cap hu es represented at 24, 25 and 26, which. deliver the caps. one. y on to; receptacles. 2,1. 2,8- and; 29 respectively. The. receptacles 21-1, 2-8.an.d 29. are tatably mount nupper-tine frame 3 nd this; frameyis pivoted for turning movement. on pivotshafts. such as representedatfi l 31 whereby the, receptacles 2.7; 28; and .29. may. be: inverted fr mrthe upwardly fa ing c p receiving. position shown; in. 10a to. a. downwardly. facing posi-- tion for presenting and applying the caps. to the'mouth endsof; the jars I.8.

As above mentioned, the-receptacles 21; 28 and 2.9.: are each rotatably mounted and; means are pro ded: or rota n or pinnin hese rec ptacles;when they areinverted to; thereby cause the caps to be screwed on,the-jars. Init-he, diagrammatic representation Fig; 1.0a, the receptacles r i lus ate as having; t ms dependin h r froirrand journaledin portionsof. theframe 38 and providedgwith sprockets 312'. whicharesimuhtaneo sly riv n: bymeans f a. chain to; there efiect rotation of said receptacles. The receptacle supporting frame 30 ;is. notonly pivoted f or inverting movement on the pivots. 3.1 31 but is also! vertically slidably mounted, on guide posts such; asrepresented at 3.3., 3.31-.so that. the receptacles 21, 28 and 29 may be lowered from capr e v n pos ti n nt proxim ty to he mout cndsiz he iars-torther by appl hecaps s id jars. M chanism.- is. pr vi e f r automa ically nitiatin and: terminat the Variousmovement-s t the one t nspartsofi the apparatus and also for co l i the. li ry; n nositi n ing of cartons of' jars inpap-receiving position.

The cap-feeding belts; 2.1, 22 and 231 are supported;by-suitable conYeyor-rolls-M at thereceivns ds: of he-conv yors n similarconveyo 1101.15.15. at their. deli ery ends. aid rolls. bein uitably J'Qurn led; n: a ri d. fram ructure s pporte y a ps anding; post 3.61 and; othe posts. r: races. a diasonala sup t n ra e; :1 be nerreprcsen ed in .Fisu h d a ona race may xten t any c nv nient. part. of. he rigi frame struc r or the-posted to provid adequatesuppo tior heireceivins ndscf he can.- The. conveyors I21, 22 and' 23 are continuously driven by meansof anelectric motor M through the, agency of a. suitable speed reducer 3 8 and a chain 39 which mesheswith suitable sprockets carried by the. power output shaft. of thespeed reducer 3.8 and. the shafts of the-- delivery end pulleys 3.5 of the conveyors. (see also Fig. 3).

Caps are manually or otherwise deposited. on the unobstructedend portions of. the conveyors 2|, 22. and 23- betweensuitable upstanding side u d s. 0 andv t aps are accordingly carried forwardly to the dischargeends. oitheconveyors. The s n appa atus. des ned simulta: usly pply lzcaps to lzjarsizia cartonme jars being arranged'in-four rows of'3* jars. Ac-

4 cprdinglmthecaps carrio pforwardlr by the conveymfsjl, 2-2 andg23 are. dividedfiv into four rows of caps and for this purpose there are provided suitably shaped dividers 4|, 42 and 43 at the discharge ends of the conveyors, these dividers being disposed intermediate the side guides 40 so-aSrto-divide the space therebetween into four approximately equal channels. There are such dividers, 4'1 and: 4-2.- and 43 associated with the delivery end portionof each of the conveyors 2|, 22 and 23-; Hence; the caps placed indiscriminately on the receiving end portions of the conveyors will be discharged therefrom in four rows. The dividers M, 42 and 43.are supported by attachment. to atunneli-likesleeve 44 and'each sleeve has a top plate 451 which is. extended so. as to overlie the discharge extremity of the respectiveconveyflrs 2|, 22 andZB to, preventpossible overflow of. the caps as they leave the conveyors toenter. the sleeves.4,4. As representedin Fig. 8, the dividers. .4], 42; and 43 traverse the. width of the sleeves 44 soas to. guidethe. four. rows of caps through. said sleeves.

Fromthe sleeves the caps are. guided. down,

Wardly along inclined tracksor chutes 46' which are fabricated of. suitable channeleshaped. strips and-bound together and supportedtoprovide a rigid chute structure. Thesechutcsmayv besup? ported by suitable brackets suchasindicated at 4.1 whichare .attachedattheir ends. to. fixed sup; porting. postsdsanda la. (Fig. 3).. These chutes are preferably adjustably. attachedto said sup;- porting members 41, attachment vtothe postbeing by means of suitable sleeve-like. brackets which may be adjustedupand down onthe posts and locked in selectedplace. by suitableset screws, These brackets 41 are located. near the lower endsof the chutesso thatthe lower ends of the upper and, lower chutes may. be adjusted toward and from each other to adjust the spacing. of the discharge ends of the chutes to, conform. to the spacing. of, various sizes of. jarswhen packed ina cartonfor. shipment. The chutes 46.. in each set thereof are also. adjustable at. their lower ends. toward-and from eachother so. asto permit setting of the discharge ends of the chutes to conform to the spacing of. the rows. of jars, to which the capsare to bedelivered, This ad.- justment mayconsist. in anadjustable connection between therespective chutesv and their respective supporting cross members 4.1.

. Adjacent the lower; ends. of the chutes there are, provided escapement devices for controlling thediischargeof caps, Asshown best in Fig. .5, these escapement devices comprise levers. or plates. 59. which are pivoted. intermediate their ends: on. pivotshafts 51 suitably. journaled. on the respective. chutes. At. the, upper and, lower ends, of;- these plates 50 there are providedupwardly projecting pairs of. pins. 5.2.. and53, (see also Fig. 3 Springsindicated.atj5. interposed between the bottoms of the plates 50 and suitable saddles. .55.. attached to the. chutes .and. straddling the. plates Fail-serve toyi di sly ur he. plates orcck soas om-e ect. the pins 2' int thepath of caps moving downwardly in. the respective hutes.

The pivot shaftsel are continuous for each set of chutes as shown in Fig. 3- and rocking of the pivot plates 56) is automatically controlled through, the agency of levers or arms such. as indicated at 56'; secured to therespective shafts 5!. The means for actuating these arms 56; so as to rock the escapement mechanismwillpresently be explained;

At the lower ends of the chutes 46 there are secured annular cap guides 51 which guide the descending caps into the receptacles 21, 28 and 29 as explained in connection with the diagrammatic illustration Fig. 10a.

The receptacles 21, 28 and 29 are of like construction and, as indicated in Fig. 2, there are four rows of such receptacles, each row comprising three receptacles 21, 28 and 29. Each receptacle comprises a flexible rubber cup 58 (see Fig. which is suitably attached as by riveting or otherwise as indicated at 59 to a metal flange or'plate 60which extends from a hub 6|. This hub 6| abuts a spindle member 62 and is keyed thereto as indicated at 63, so that the spindle member 62 and' said hub and plate 6| and 69 are rotatable asa unit but are separable from each other. These parts are normally held together by means of a screw 64 which is threaded into the member 62.

The spindle member 62 is rotatably seated through the agency of an anti-friction bearing 65 in the central opening of a sleeve or core 66 forming a part of a magnetic coil housing structure which contains an electric magnet coil or winding 61. The spindle 62 projects beyond the sleeve 66 and is provided with one of the beforementioned sprockets 32. It will be seen that by rotating the sprocket 32 and spindle 62, the plate 60 and rubber cup 58 will be also rotated. The sleeve 66, the spindle 62 and the hub 6| and plate 6|] are made of suitable magnetic metal which will be magnetised when the coil 61 is energized. A cap C deposited in the receptacle 21 will be magnetically held therein incident to the magnetic attraction of the cap to the plate 69 and the rivets 59 but to improve this magnetic holding of the cap in place, a thimble or filler 68 of suitable magnetic metal is employed in the center of the structure as shown. This thimble or filler may, 7 however, be made integral with the plate 66 if preferred.

The rows of receptacles embodying the details above described, are supported in frames 36 as aforesaid, and there are four frames for respectively supporting the four rows of receptacles as will be best understood by inspection of Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, the cap receptacles 21, 28 and 29 are shown in downwardly facing position (inverted relative to the position shown in Fig. 5). Each frame 30 comprises parallel side bars 69 and 10 between which the said magnetic coil housing structures are mounted as best shown in Fig. '1. As there shown, each of the said housing structures is confined between end plates 1| and 12 which are interconnected by rivets such as indicated at 13 (see also Fig. 6). The end plates 1| and 12 are of generally rectangular form and house the coil 61 between them, filler bars 14, 14 being provided between the plates at opposite ends of the housing. These fillers 14 are recessed as best indicated in Fig. 6 to accommodate the coil 61 and the rivets 13. The rivets 13 at opposite sides of the coil housing support contact springs 15 and 16 respectively, these springs being suitably electrically connected to the ends of the coil winding as indicated in Fig. 6.

Intermediate portions of the contact springs 15 and 16 are bulged outwardly into resilient engagement with electrical conductor'strips 11 and 18 respectively, these strips being seated in grooves provided inthe inside faces of the frame slide bars 69 and 16 as best shown in Fig. '1. The conductor strips 11 and 18 are suitably in- 'sulated-from the metallic side bars 69 and 16 and thecontact members 15 and 16 are also suitably insulated from the rivets 13 and the metallic parts of the coil housing. The end plates 1| and 12 have marginal side portions extended so as to embrace and slidably fit around the side bars 69 and 10 so that the receptacle carrier including the coil housing is capable of being adjusted to various positions along the lengths of said side bars 69 and 10. Because of the wiping contact between the contact members 15 and 16 and the respective conductor strips 11 and 18, the coil 61 will be maintained in electrical connection with said conductor strips in all positions of the receptacles relative to said side bars 69 and 16.

A cap 0 having been delivered into the receptacle 21 (or the receptacles 28 and 29) will be magnetically gripped and held in the restood, ofcourse, that the caps C or at least the disc portions 29 thereof, are made of magnetic material.

The receptacles 21 are of such internal diameter that the caps will fall freely thereinto and assume their fully'seated position as shown in Fig. 5. The peripheral flange portion of the receptacles is not required to frictionally grip the annular band portion of the cap structure inasmuch as the magnetic grip on the cap is adequate for retaining the cap in the receptacle and for causing the cap to rotate with the receptacle when the latter is rotated.

Each pair of grooved bars 69 and19 which support the sets of receptacles are rigidly interconnected at their ends by end members 19 and 89 (see Fig. 2) so that the members 69, 10, 19 and 89 constitute in effect a rigid rectangular frame. Of the three receptacles supported in each of these frames (there being four such frames as shown in Fig. 2), the intermediate receptacle carrier is fixed in place While the carriers on opposite sides of the central carrier are each mounted so as to be readily adjustable toward or from the central carrier although normally anchored in fixed position. As shown in Fig. 2, the carriers for the receptacles 29 are anchored in predetermined fixed position relative to the central carriers 28 by means of links 8| which are detachably connected at their opposite ends to the carriers for the central and end receptacles 28 and 29 respectively. Similarly, the carriages for the receptacles 21 are normally held infixed position by means of links such as indicated at 82, which are detachably connected at their ends to the carriages for the receptacles 21 and to fixed plate structures 83 which are fixedly mounted in the respective frames.

By substituting for the links 8| and 82 links of different lengths, the carriages for the receptacles 'plained in connection with the diagram Fig. 10a. To that end' and for other purposes which will 'presentlyappear,sleeves 84 are secured to and excepts project endwiseafromr the. end: members 19-; these sleeves being journaledrfor rotation imbearings 85': which. are supported in a transverse member 86. Similarly, ata-theopposite end'of each-of the rectangular carrier. framesgtheendlmembers 89 have rigidly secured thereto tubular shafts 81 (see Fig. 15-) which: are journaled in suitable bearingstructures. 88;.the latter being supported byatransv-erse member 89.

The transverse. members: 86 and. 89' constitute membersof a. rectangular frame of which the other membersarebars indicatedat 9i] and BI (Fig. 2) these 1 bars: being suitably rigidly united at their ends-to the members 86" and 89. The members 86 and: 89"have endportions extended beyond'the meinberstfl and Mandrsuch endxportions'aresuitably bored and: slidably fitted on vertically disposed. posts or rods 33 previously referred to. Hencathe. frame structure compris ing themembers Stytdand-tfl and Ql' and allof theiinvertibly snpportedireceptacle sets arcadjustable up and down along the posts 33'.

For eiiecting turning of the :receptacle frames through anarc of 130,each tubularshaftfil is providedwitha.gearitl. (see Figs. 2 and15). These gears: are suitablyfsecured to-the respective shafts: 81?; and they mesh with a-rack bar 935Which issuitablyxsliclabl-y'mountedin a chamneledsguide bar at: Thiswguide bar it (and'hence .theraclrtt') areisupportedlin fixed relation to the: vertically reciprocable frame structure 1 by suitable postsasuch 1 as indicated at 95, xwhichlex tendupwardly from aplate- .93, the latter being rigidly'connectedto the transverse end-member as by,meansvofabraclrets such as indicated alt-.91,

so: as toreciprocatetherewith. The rack bare? is" automatically reciprocated as required by means which will presently. be explained.

The, sprockets-.32" (see'Fig. 2) through which the'capreceptaoles El; 28 and ZQare rotated on their own axes, are -'driven;by endless chains such as indicated .at- 98, .these. chains havingtheipopposite reaches in driving engagement with r the opposite sideswof the respective sprockets Janclibeingthreaded around supporting. end sprockets .99 and'lllil respectively. Thesprockets Ware-sup.- ported in the. fixed end plates 83 011 short' shafts i81 which are journaled in saidendplates; On theopposite-side of said end plates the'shafts4 lizl have mountedthereon bevel gears I 02- (see Fig. 1) which mesh-withbevel gears I83 which arezcarried on end portions o'lshafts lt4=of electric motorslflii; These.:electricmotors IE5 areahigh speed, fractional horsepower type of motorand they are eachsupported by suitable attachment to. the transverse member 86 of the-vertically slidably mounted frame structure. The: bevel gears I93 are keyeduto the shafts it'd so as to be axially slidablethereon and rotatable therewith, and suitable compression springs such as in dicated at [Bit are provided intermed-i'atcgears llisandqfixed-portions of the supporting. frame structure so as to yieldingly, urge-thegears 103 into mesh'with the gears me. In the event of interference "with the rotation of 'a gear! 02; the spring WES-may yield so as to allow the driving gearlB-S to slipover thetecth of the gear. I02:

Instead of employing a separate electric motor torotate-each setof receptacles the modified'arrangement' shown in Fig. 16 may be provided. Amther shown. shafts m7 replace the: motor shafts .-l M," the shaftssl B being-suitably, journaled in: the framersupporteda bearings. .85 and provided on. their.- outer. ends with sprockets sucheas indicatedaat .I 08; An endless :chainJOS has-one-or 8 botlr of each reaches engagedwith-said sprockets I18 and threaded around a supporting idler sprocket Ill] and a sprocket H! which is-carried by. theshaft' of asmall electric motor H 2-. This small electric motor is supported on a shelf plate lle'which'is suspehdedfrom the transverse member 86*so that the motor will move up and down with the electrically movable frame structure and the-idler gear HE] is journa'led on the extended end'portion of said member at asshown. In this arrangement, .a single driving motor and a chain and: sprocket drive'replace the four independent motordrives shown in the Fig. 2 arrangement.

As: already explained, carriers for the recepmoles-2T and 2 9: are adjustable toward and from the'carrierfor the central receptacle 2% of each set. This provides" adjustment or" the receptacles in=onedirection to accommodate the machine to the'ca'pping of various sizes-of jars. To'permit adjustment of the cap receptacles-in the other direction toward and from each other, or in other: wordato' permit adjustment of the sets of receptacles toward and from each other, the bearingmembers 8'5 and tlt at opposite ends of theinverti-bleframes are mounted for adjustment toward and from eachother'in said transverse members-tt-andtt. Tothat end the member's-88 and as are formed ofupper and lower parallel bar portions 1M and H5 (see Fig. 15) be-tween'w'hich' thebearings are slidable toward and fronreach other. The upper bar Hdis longitudinally slotted as indicatedat Hlito receive lugs such asindicated at Ill which project upwardlyyfrom'the respective bearing members and '.!i8-, .ancl these-lugs are extended upwardly in the form of screw-threadedstuds H8 which r ceire'cl'amping-nuts and washers as'indicated in 15, whereby the respective bearings may be locked in'selected position-of adjustment in the members flii and t8; It will be observed that this adjustment of the receptacle sets toward and from each other is permitted without'interfering with the operative connections between the motors-= IE5 and the receptacle rotating. means and'withoutinterfering with the operative connections which effect inversion of the receptacles.

The vertically slidably mounted carrierframe comprising the-parts 86;.89, Mendel and the various, parts carried thereby are supported on theupper ends-eta pair of piston rods H9 (see Figse 1 and 3-) which extend out of suitable guide sleeves litwhich are connected to cylinders l2i Th'e pistonrods. I 19 extend into said cylinders 12 and are provided with pistons therein so that; upon delivery/of pressure fluid (compressed air or=liquid under pressure) into the cylinder-on either side of the piston,- said frame structure will be moved upor down.

The-supporting postsorrods-33-extend upwardlyfrom a bed plate 122- which is vertically ad 'usta-blysupported on-screw posts l23which extend upwardlyirom a suitable base structure, here typified as comprising. concrete piers [2 The-conveyor It for the cartons of jars is preferably a normally fixed structure, this conveyor extending-from some suitable loading-point into the capping machine. In preference-to providing vertical adjustment for this conveyor teaccommodate the machine to thecappingo'f jars of variousheights, the cap--placingstructure is in its :entiretymountedfor adjustment up or down relative tosaidconyeyor. I Hence, thcsupporting bed-plate I22 --is vertically. adj ustably-mounted as .a-foresaid-on -means suchas the screw posts I 23;

While adjustment of the capping. mechanism may be effected up ordown'by simply adjusting supporting nutssuch as indicated atpl25 up or down on'the screw posts and correspondingly adjusting overlying locking nuts, it is preferable 'to provide powermeans for effecting such ad-.- justment. Accordingly, there is. provided 9. cyl--' inder I26 having a piston I21 which extends out of the cylinder and is secured at its upper end to the bed plate I22 as best shown in Fig. 1. By delivering. pressure. fluid into or releasing pressure fluid from the cylinder I26, the piston I21 and the mechanism in its entirety may be .adjusted up or down relative to the conveyor I6. If desired, the piston I21 may be provided with gauge marks such as indicated at I28, to indicate various predetermined settings to satisfy the requirements of jars of various predetermined heights. 1 1

Cartons of jars are guided against sidewise displacement on the conveyor I6 by side guides I39 which are adjustablysecured to side rail portions I30 of the conveyor structure. Suitable flap controlling bars I3I are provided for controlling the carton top flaps represented at I32 in Fig. l, thatis to say, to holdsaid flaps in an outwardly and downwardly extending position during the passage of the carton through the capping apparatus. These flap guides I3I may be supported in any suitable manner, as for example, by being attached to the stationary posts 33 through the agency of supporting brackets such as indicatedat I33. The flaps atthe leading and trailing ends of the cartons are controlled by 'being initially 'folded downwardly over the outside faces of the-respective end walls of the cartons so that these flaps are held in an out of the way position between the adjacent ends of adjacent cartons as indicated in Figs. l2, l3 and 14.

Operation of the apparatus is initiated when a carton of jars arrivesin capping positionby engagement of the leading end of the carton with a switch button I34 of'an electric switch I35 which is carried onan angle iron member I36 supported on (see Figs. 2 and 4) which is, in turn, the upper end of a piston rod I31. The piston rod I31 extends into a cylinder I38 and is equipped with a piston so that the piston rod and the switch structure may beraised and lowered by the injection and relief of pressure fiuid into and from said cylinder I38. When the mechanism is set into operation, the switch I35 is in an elevated position so that its button I34 is above the plane of the conveyor I6, thereby enabling the leading end of .a carton of jars to engage said switch button and close the switch I35. The switch I35 is connected in series with another switch I39 (see Figs. 1 and 3) and this switch I39 will, at the start of operatins, be closed by engagement of its operating button I40 with an actuating fingerI4I which projects upwardly from a portion of the'vertically reciprocable frame member 9|:

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the vertically reciprocable frame structure ,is in its lowered .position so that the actuating finger.I4I is out of engagement with the switch button I40. However, it will be understood that when the frame structure is elevated into the cap receiving position (in which it is shown in Fig. said fin ger I4I will engage said switch button I49 and effect closing of the switch I39} Through the switches I35 and I39 a circuit is completed to an electric magnet or solenoid I'42 (Figsul and 2) whereby said magnet orsclenoid is energized and caused to rock upwardly an arm I43 which is pivoted at one end asindicated at I44 on a suitable When the armature arm I43 is rocked upwardly a' valve I45 is opened incident to engagement of a screw member I46 carried by the arm with the actuating plunger pin I41 of the valve. The valve I45 is connected in a pipe line I48 which extends from a compressed air (or other pressure fluid) supply pipe I49 (see Fig. 11) and controls the delivery of such pressure fluid through a pipe line I50 into one end of a reciprocating valve structure I5I. When the valve is actuated by air delivered thereto through the pipe line I50, compressed air will be permitted to flow from the supply pipe I49 through a pipe line I52, through the valve I5I and a pipe line I53, suitable pressure equalizing air control valves I54 and into the upper end portions of the cylinders I2I. The pressure fluid thus delivered into the upper portions of the cylinders I2I will cause the cap-carrying frame structure to be moved downwardly from the cap-receiving position'illustrated in Fig. 5, to the cap-applying position substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

' It may be observed that by providing the switches I35 and I39 in series, the delivery of a carton of jars to capping position would not set the mechanism in operation in the event that the cap-carrying structure were not in its normal elevatedstarting position. This precautionary measure is desirable to the end that no automatic operation of the machine be performed unless it is certain that all of the capcarrying receptacles'have been loaded with caps and this is practically assured in the described mechanism provided that the carrying mechanism be elevated to cap-receiving position before starting downward movement of the capapplying structure.

As soon as downward movement of the capapplyingstructure is initiated, the rack 93 is actuated to turn the cap-carrying receptacles from upwardly'facing cap receiving position to downwardly facing cap-applying position. This rack is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder I55 which has a piston I56 provided with a laterally upwardly extending pin I51 (see Figs. 4 and 15) which is connected to the rack 93. The guide bar 94 is slotted as indicated at I58, to permit the pin I51 to move laterally in said supporting bar so'tha't the piston I56 and rack 93 will be reciprocated in accordance with the admission of pressure fluid into the opposite ends of the cylinder I55.

The opposite ends of the cylinder I55 are connected by suitable conduits I59 and I60 to a valve IBI (see Figs. 4 and 11), the latter having a connection I62 to the pressure fluid supply line I49. The" valve IBI is actuated at the beginning of the down movement of the cap-carrying structure incident to the opening of a valve I63 by means of a member I64 which is carried by'the vertically moving shelf member 96 of the cap-carrying structure.

' The valve I63 is connected through a pipe line I65 with the pressure fluid supply line I49 and a pipe line I66 with the valve I6I so that when said valve I33 is opened, pressure fluid will be admitted to one end of the valve I6I to thereby cause the latter to admit pressure fluid tothe motor cylinder I55 so as to actuate the rackbar to turn the cap-carrying frames as already ex- 'plained.

Also, upon initiation of the downward movement of the :cap carrying structure for, at least, when the cap-carrying receptacles have been turned to their downwardly 'facing position, the motors I (Fig. 2 are-energized (or the :motor I I2, Fig. 16,.is energized) to effectrrotationof'the cap-carryingreceptacles. .Also, at the start of the downward andturning=.movement of the capcarrying devices, the windings 61 in the capcarryingreceptaclehousings are energized :so as to v eiTect magnetic holding of the caps in the receptacles. Electric, current-for :the purpose of energizing these magnetic devices :is provided by means of a direct current generator I61 '(Figs. 2 and 4) which is .driven by a direct connected electric motor I68.

The generatorrlfil is connected through asuitable rheostat I6.9--toa=suitable bridging zblock H0. From the bridging block I 'suitablezelectrical conductors ll-I are carried throughthe tubular shafts 81 and connected to the contact strips .1 1 and I3 from which ithe'windings 6:1 receive ourrentethrough the spring contact members -and 16 as shown in Figs. v6 and7. The ,rheostat 1:69 serves tocontrol the voltage deliveredrirom :the generator I61 to the cap magnet ,coils and an appropriate volt meter I12 maybe zprovided'for facilitating regulation ofxsaid voltage. The =motor I68, generator .161, bridging: block 111.0, and volt meter I12 are fixedly mounted .on .the base plate I22 and the conductors extending from the bridging block into the tubular shafts 8! are :of suitable flexible construction to :permit vertical reciprocation of .the cap-carryingstructure.

The :feed of current to the cap-holding magnets is controlled bymeans-of aswitch or circuit breaker in the. conductor "which carries current from-the generator 1 v6! to the :bridgingyblook I10. This switchv isindicated at I13 (figs. 3 and 17) being in this instance a;merc.ury.:switch. .Similarly, the operation of the motors 'Hl5 -.or"the. motor I I2 which effects rotation of the cap-carrying receptacles is controlled by .a switch I74 whichis associated with the switch 113 and connected (in the conductor which supplies ,current to thesaid motors L05 or :motor H2.

The mercury, switches ,lqlz3tand 1 IA are mounted 01119.11 enlarged .end portion I15 of. a lever 1:16 which is pivotally mountedintermedia'te its ends as indicated at 111,, on ;a suitable.v stationary bracket structure I118. Anad'justahl'e'stop member I19 is provided for limiting the downward rocking movement of the switch-carrying portion of said lever. The other end-portion ofsaid lever I16 lprojects'into proximity to a rod I BII which is secured to and depends from a portion of the vertically reciprocating cap-carrying structure andsaidrodis equipped with a;pair:of tripmember-s -I 8I and 18,7. In the starting position, the switches I 73.,and IrHI; are. openand inclined downwardly and toy the right as shown in .Fig. 17, with the .lever 116 extending 'angularly iupwardly 'to the left. when the capecarrying. structure starts downwardly, the tripping :pawl 'I:8I engages the adjacent underlying end portion of thelever I16 and effects downward rocking of the lever-on its pivotl 'I'I until apin :IBs-carried by-theen-d of the lever I'IS engages underashoulder-IM onalatch I85 which is pivotally mountedon the bracketyl'lli as indicatedat I86.

The pawl I8! is yieldingly mounted in the mounting block I82, so that when the :lever I16 reaches its down position .where1it issfifiqppedyas illustrated in Fig. .3, said ,pawl 'will yield ,and be retracted to permit the pawl to pass the aendcoi be automatically ziiniti'a'ted theilever t lt. 'Flhel-atchzlfi holds the leverllfi in the position:illustratedsinFigfi, in which'the switches 'I'JI-fl :and JIM areclosed to thereby complete the respective electrical circuits in which they are connected. YHence, during'the downward movementof-thexcapecarryin-gstructure, the cap holding magnets remain energized and the cap rotating motor or-motors are kept in operation. As the cap-carrying receptacles reach the mouth ends of the jars with :which theyare in vertical alignment, the caps willibe deposited and screwed on the respective jars. Because .of the slipping clutch action of the magnetic grip on the caps, it is not necessarytorattainany-critical relationshipbetween'the-speed of rotation'of the caps and the rateofidownwardmovement ofthe caps. It is merelyzimportant'rthat thespeed of rotation be adequate to screw the caps on to cause them to move downwardly at :least :as fast as they are carried :downwardly .by the carrying structure.

When the cap-carrying structure reaches its lowermost "position, the latch M5 is rocked outwardly so :as to release the lever I16 thereby to permit theil-everfto rockxbackrto the open switch position shown in Fig. 17. Such return rocking movement of thei-lever-may 'be spring effected but because of the unbalanced construction of the lever as shown in Figs. :3 and 17, gravity action is sufficient to cause such return rocking -move ment. Release of thelatch I is effected by means of the trip rmember I81 which is: carried by the rod l 8I):andprovided-with-a cam-face adapted to engage a correspondingcam face-on the latch as shown in Fig. 3-. Bythis-means, the magnetic gripv of the receptaclermagnets on-the caps is terminated at the end of the cap-applying operation as is also it-he-rotary movement of the capcarryingreceptacles'.

Upward or return movement of the cap-carryingstructureis automaticallyinitiated through a control valve I 88 '(Figs. '3 and 11) which is actuated by a trip mem'ber I89 fixedly mounted on the vertically reciprocating structure. Said trip member may lie-vertically, adj'ustably secured to the carrying structure so as to permit accurate adjustment of thexextent-of downward movement which will "be imparted to the structure or, as an alternative; the valve I88 may be vertically, adjustably moun'ted on the adjacent supporting post 33 toperm'it similarcontrol.

The valve I88 controls 'the' passage of pressure fluid from thesupp'lypipe I49 through a pipe line I90 (Fig. 11 .anda pipe lineal! into the valve I 5l for efiecting "shifting of the valve I58 so as to cut off the-flow of pressure fluid into'the upper end of the cylinders I2 I and to establish flow of pressure fluid into the'l'ower ends of said cylinders I2I'.

As shown-in- Fig. ll, thelower ends of the cylinders are connected through a pipe line I 92, the valve I5I and-pipeline I52 Jto-the-pressure supply conduit I49. suitable pressure control air equalizing valves I93 are preferably provided in the pipe-line-lfiz'immediately ahead of the cylinders I-ZI. Itwill beaseen that when the vertically reciprocating .capecarryings structure reaches its predeterminedzlow point, :upward movement will to return the capcarryingzstructure toiitszuppermost, cap-receiving position.

As the upwardior -returnmovement of the capcarrying;structureproceeds,\astrip I94 (see Figs. 2 and ,4) :on.cthe-vertically reciprocatin structure actuates ,a:.valve .1 95 :WhiCh:0OIltI-O1S the delivery of :pressure efluid from the supply conduit I49,

through a portion of the pipe line I65, a'pipe I96 and a pipe I91 to the pneumatic valve I6 I. When the valve I95 is opened pressure fluid is delivered to said valve I6I so as to adjust the same to permit pressure fluid to flow through said valve I6I and the pipe line I50 into the cylinder I55 whereby the rack 93 is returned to its starting position, thereby again effecting turning of the cap-carrying receptacles from their downwardly facing cap delivering position to their upwardly facing capreceiving position. The extent of travel of the rack 93 may be controlled by suitable stop means embodied as indicated at I90 (Fig. 4), in the cylinder I55 or in any other suitable manner.

The trip I94 is pivoted on its supporting bracket so that on downward movement of the cap-carrying structure, the trip will be displaced by its engagement with the valve I95 and pass the valve without opening it. However, on upward movement, the trip I94 is suitably stopped against rocking so that said valve I95 will be opened to effect movement of the rack '93 and return of the cap-carrying receptacles to upwardly facing position as already explained. Similarly, the trip I64 is pivoted so that on downward movement ofthe cap-carrying structure, the valve I63 will necessarily be opened whereas, on upward movement of the cap-carrying structure the trip I64 will be rocked On its pivot and displaced by engagement with the valve 153 so as to pass the valve without opening it.

As the cap-carrying frame moves upwardly, its side member 9I engages the free end ofan arm- I 99 (see Fig. which is pivotally mounted at its other-end as indicated at 200, on a support attached to one of; the supporting posts 33. This arm I99 is thereby caused to rock upwardly and it is in such position that its upper face will engage the free ends of thearms 56 of the cap delivery escapement mechanism. By examination of Fig. 5, it will be seen that this rocking arm device. I99 acts through the arms 56 to rock the cap escapement in such a manner that as the cap receptacles reach their elevated position as shown in Fig. 5, the escapement mechanism will be rocked to withdraw the cap holding pins 52 so-asto permit caps to continue their downward movement in the chutes 46 by which they are delivered into the receptacles 27, 28 and 29. v

The rear escapement pins 53 are, of course, projected into the path of travel of the caps following those which are released by the front pins 52 so that only the caps at the front ends of the chutes are permitted to move downwardly. on the next downward stroke of the cap-carrying structure the escapement mechanism will be reversely actuated so as tocause the rows of caps in the chutes to move downwardly until stopped by the front escapement pins- 52.-- Hence, there is an automatic feedof caps one by one from the chutes 45 into the cap receptacles, this cap feed being operated as an incident to the reciprocation of the cap-applying mechanism.

The switch I35 and its mounting bracket I35 are automatically lowered as an incident to the upward movement of the cap-carrying devices,

after completion of a cap-applying operation. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the vertically reciprocating structure is provided with a suitable trip member 20I which is operative to actuate a valve 202 fixedly mounted on the bed plate I22 or a suitablebracket carried thereby. Said valve 202 controls the delivery of pressure fluid (see Fig. 11) from the supply line I49through a partof the pipe line I65, and through piping 203 and'204 to 14 the cylinder I38 which controls the movement of the piston I 31 on which the switch I 35 is mounted.

The trip 20I is pivoted on its supporting structure in such a manner when the vertically reciprocating mechanism moves downwardly the trip will be rocked out of the way by engagement with the valve 202. On upward movement of the vertically reciprocating structure the trip 20I is held against rocking movement when engaging the valve 202 so that the latter will be opened, this valve being accordingly opened only shortly after the upward movement of the cap-carrying structure is'started. When the valve 202 is opened by the trip 20I, pressure fluid is admitted to the upper portion of the cylinder I38 so as to thereby effect rapid downward or retracting movement of the switch I35 whereby said switch is lowered below the path of travel-0f the jar-carrying cartons C.

After the jars in a carton are capped, the carton containing such jars is advanced by the conveyor I5 to a continuation conveyor 205 (see Figs. 12, 13 and 14) which is driven at a somewhat higher speed thanthe conveyor It. The switch I35 is located intermediate the discharge and'receiving ends of the conveyors I6 and 205 and permits the carton containing a set of capped jars to be advanced from the conveyor It to the conveyor 205 during the interval that pressure fluid is delivered into'the upper portion of the cylinder I38. As the weight of the jar-containing carton is transferred from the conveyor I 5 to the conveyor 205, the latter conveyor is operative to pick up said carton and advance it at a. greater speed of travel than that imparted by the conveyor I6 so that carton separation will occur approximately as indicated in Figs. 13 and 14.

In the time intervalin which a space exists between the cartons, the switch I35 is returned upwardly, this being effected by spring means enclosed within the'lower portion of the cylinder. The switch is retracted to a position somewhat below the plane of the bottoms of the cartons so that slow spring-effected return movement may begin as soon as the compressed air is relieved from the cylinder. In the event the switch structure engages the bottom of an overlying carton, the carton continues its travel, holding the switch against further upward movement until the carton has completely passed the switch structure. It will be observed that the weight of the jar filled cartons is adequate toresist the spring force WhlCh eflects upward movement of the switch. The valve 202 is a self-closing valve which upon closing, vents the compressed air from the cylinder I38 so as to permit the spring means contained therein to urge the valve to its operative position in the path of travel jof the cartons. The switch I35 is thus automatically moved upwardly into the space between the cartons as shown in Fig. 13. Hence, by the time that the next succeeding carton reaches the switch I35,

the latter will be in its normal operating position substantially asrepresented in Fig. 14. The cycle of operations is then completed and the incoming carton engages and closes the switch I35 tostart a new cap-applying cycle of operations.

-In the diagram Fig. 11 and on Fig. 3, there is illustrated a valve 206, this valve being adapted to be opened by the upper end portion of the trip bar I89 .when the cap-carrying structure reaches its upper limit of movement. The valve 206 is connected by piping 201 to the pressure fluid supply'line I49 and by piping 208 and I50 to the valve I5I. -'When the valve 206 is opened pressure fluid will now through :said valve and the pipes 20.8 and I50 and through the valve I51 and pipe line I53 into the upper portions of the cylinders I21 so as to thereby automatica-llystop upward movement of the cap-carrying structure and initiate downward movement thereof. When certain carton controls other than the described switch I35 are employed, the valve 206 may be employed in cooperation with the valve I88 to produce automatic changes in the direction of travel of the cap-carrying structure. This valve arrangement may :be advantageously employed for test operation of the apparatus in the absence of cartons of jars. Manually operable valves such as indicated at 209 (Fig. 11), may be provided wherever desired in the'piping system. This valve arrangement may also be employed in certain arrangements in which the capping operation is .synchronized with the feed of thejars, especially where long, continuous runs of jars are to be capped.

lhe apparatusdescribed is largely in the form in which it has been initially constructed and it is accordingly subject to many refinements in the construction of additional units. The described apparatus is, however, practicably operative and efficiently functions to simultaneously apply caps on sets of jars contained in cartons fed thereto successively in the arrangement described.

The mechanism may readily be operated at various speeds up 'toabout 48 cycles per minute in the form illustrated. However, refinements in the construction of amachine in the cap-feeding mechanism and in the carton-feeding mechanism will :probably enable the apparatus to be operated at considerably higher speeds. Many such refinements and various changes in the described structure may be made while retaining the principles of the invention as herein shown and-described.

I claim:

1. Jar capping apparatus comprising means for supporting a plurality of jars in predetermined arrangement, a cap carrier mounted for vertical movement toward and from said jars, said cap carrier comprising a frame, a plurality of cap receptacles mounted on said frame for turning movement from upwardly facing capreceiving position to downwardly facing capdischarging position and for rotary movement, said receptacles being arranged to position caps in the predetermined arrangement of said jars, and'means for moving said carrier into proximity to and from said jars, means for inverting saidreceptacles so as to present the caps-therein to said jars, and means for efiecting rotation of said receptacles and the caps therein so as to thereby cause screw caps to be screwed on the jars.

2. Jar capping apparatus of the class described, comprising a conveyor for successively delivering to a predetermined position, each of a succession of cartons each containing a plurality of jars in predetermined arrangement, said conveyor having a discharge end in proximity to said predetermined carton position, cartonrstop means adjacent said discharge end of the conveyor normally disposed in the path of movement of cartons advanced by said conveyor and mounted so as to be retractable to a position below the path :of travel of cartons discharged from said conveyor, a cap carrier mounted ,for vertical reciprocation into proximity to, and .from :said .predetermined carton position, means for 'efiecting such reciprocation of said-capcarrier, means for effecting application of caps carried by said carrier to jars in a carton in said predetermined position as an incident to downward movement of said cap carrier, means for initiating downward movement oisaid carrier as an incident to an engagement of said retractable stop means by a carton, and means for effecting retraction of said stop means upon completion of a capping operation, thereby permitting the said conveyor to discharge cartons containing capped jars.

3. Jar capping apparatus of the class described, comprising a conveyor for successively delivering to a predetermined position, each o'f a succession of cartons each containing a plurality of jars in predetermined arrangement, said conveyor :having a discharge end in proximity to said predetermined carton position, carton stop means adjacent said discharge end of the conveyor normally disposed in the path of movement of cartons advanced by said conveyor and mounted so as to be retractable to a position below the path of travel of cartons discharged from said conveyor, a cap carrier mounted for vertical reciprocation into proximity to, andfrom said predetermined carton position, means for efiectingapplication of caps carried by said carrier to jars in a carton in said predetermined position as an incident to downward movement of said cap carrier, means for initiating downward movement of said carrier as an incident to an engagement .of said retractable stop means by a carton, means for effecting retraction of said stop means upon completion of a capping operation, thereby permitting the said conveyor to :discharge cartons containing capped jars, means for receiving said carton and withdrawing the same from said conveyor at a speed which is greater than the speed of travel of said conveyor, whereby the discharged carton will'be separated from the next succeeding carton, and means for returning said stop means to operative position in the space between the separated discharged andincoming cartons.

4. In jar capping apparatus of the class described, avertically movable mounted cap carrier comprising an initially upwardly facing receptacle adapted when the carrier is in elevated position to receive a cap, means mounting said receptacle on said carrier for rotary movement and for turning from upwardly facing cap-receiving position to downwardly facing cap-applying position, means for effecting movement of said'carrier from an elevated cap-receiving position to a lowered cap-applying position, means carried by-said carrier for effecting turning and rotation of said receptacle, and means for initiating said rotation and turning movements during an initial :portion of the downwardmovement of said carrier to cap applying positions, for stopping the rotation of said receptacles upon completion-of said downward movement, and for restoring said'receptacles to upwardly "facing capreceiving position during the upward return movement of the carrier to cap-receiving position.

5. In jar capping apparatus of the class described, a, verticallymovably mounted-cap carrier comprising an initially upwardly facing receptacle adapted when the carrier is in elevated position to receive a cap, means mounting :said receptacle for rotary movement and 'for turning from upwardly facing cap-receiving position to.

ascents downwardly facing cap-applying position, means for effecting movement of said carrier from an elevated cap-receiving position to a lowered capa-pplying position, means carried by said carrier for efiecting turning and rotation of said receprtacle, means for initiating said rotation and turning movements during aninitial portion of the downward movement of said carrier to cap-applying positions, for stopping the rotation of said receptacles upon completion of downward move.- ment, and for restoring said receptacles to upward facing cap-receiving position during the upward return movement of the carrier to cap-receiving position, cap feeding means for delivering caps to said-receptacle, and means for actuating said cap-delirering means upon return of said receptacle from cap-applying position to cap-receiving position.

6. In jarcapping apparatus of the class described, a cap carrier comprising an outer frame, an inner frame pivotally mounted on said outer frame for turning movement, a plurality of cap receptacles rotatabiy mounted on said inner frame, means for turning said inner frame so as to invert receptacles ca "ried thereby from upwardly facing cap-receiving position to downwardly facing cap-applying position, and means foreifecting rotation of said receptacles when in their downwardly facing cap-applying position.

7. In jar capping apparatus of the class described, a cap carrier comprising an outer frame, an inner frame pivotally mounted on said outer frame for turning. movement, a plurality of cap receptacles rotatably mounted on said inner frame, means for turning said inner frame so as to invert receptacles carried thereby from upwardly facing cap-receiving position to downwardly facing cap-applying position, and means for effecting rotation of said receptacles when in their downwardly facing cap-applying position,

certain of said receptacles being adjustably mounted on said inner frame so as to facilitate adjustment of the spacing between said receptacles to correspond to the spacing of various sizes of jars to be capped.

8. In jar capping apparatus, a cap carrying structure comprising an outer frame, a plurality of inner frames'pivotally mounted on said outer frame, a plurality of receptacles mounted on each of said inner frames, one of said receptacles being mounted on said inner frame for adjustment relative to another thereon and one of said inner frames being mounted on said outer frame so as to be adjustable relative to another thereof,

' thereby to facilitate adjustment of said cap,-

carrier to position said cap-receptacles in conformity to the spacing of jars of various sizes.

9. In jar capping apparatus, a cap carrying structure comprising an outer frame, a plurality of inner frames, a plurality of inner frames pivotally mounted on said outer frame, a plurality of receptacles mounted on each of said inner frames, said receptacles being mounted for adjustment relative to each other on said inner frames and said inner'frames being mounted on said outer frame so as each other, thereby to facilitate adjustment of said cap carrier to position said cap-receptacles in conformity to the spacing of jars of various sizes, means for effecting turning of said inner frames so as to invert said receptacles from upwardly facing cap-receiving position to a downwardly facing cap-applying position, and means for effecting rotation of said receptacles when in said cap-applying position.

to be adjustable relative to 10. Iniar capping apparatus, a cap carrying structure comprising an outer frame, a. plurality of inner frames pivotally mounted on said outer frame, a plurality of receptacles mounted on each of said inner frames, said receptacles being mounted for adjustment relative to each other on said inner frames and said inner frames being mounted on said outer frame so as to be adjustable relative to each other, thereby to facilitate adjustment of said cap carrier to position said cap. receptacles in conformity to the spacing of jars of various. sizes, an electro-magnetic means associatedwith each of said receptacles for magnetically holding caps in said, receptacles when in downwardly facing position. i

11. In .jar capping apparatus of the class described, an outer frame structure, an elongated inner frame structure having substantially parallel elongated side members, a cap receptacle, means mounting saidreceptacle on said inner frame side members so as to permit adjustment of said receptacle longitudinally of said inner frame, electro-magnetic means associated with said receptacle for magnetically holding a cap in said receptacle, electrical conductor strips carried by but insulated from said inner frame side members, contact members carried by said receptacle mounting means for slidably contacting said conductor strips, flexible electrical conductor wires connected to said conductor strips for delivering electrical current to said strips, and means for alternately turning said inner frame in opposite directions so as to adjust said cap receptacle from an upwardly facing capreceiving position to a downwardly facing capdischarging position and from said cap-discharging position to upwardly facing cap-receiving position.

12. In jar capping apparatus of the class described an outer frame structure, means mounting said outer frame structure for vertical reciprocating movement, means for effecting such movement of said outer frame, an elongated inner frame structure having substantially parallel elongated side members, a cap receptacle, means mounting saidreceptacle on said inner frame side members so as to permit adjustment of said receptacle longitudinally of said inner frame, electro magnetic means associated with said receptacle for magneticallyv holding a cap in said receptacle, electrical conductor strips carried by but insulated from said inner fraine side members, contact members carried by said receptacle mounting means for slidable contacting said conductor strips, flexible electrical conductor wires connected to said conductor strips for delivering electrical current to said strips, means for alternately turning said inner frame in opposite directions so as to adjust said cap receptacle from an upwardly facing cap-receiving position to a downwardly facing cap-dis charging position. and from said cap-discharging position to upwardly facing cap-receiving position, and meansfor controlling said turning and rotation of said receptacle and the flow of electrical current to said magnetic means as an incident to reciprocation of said outer frame.

13. Jar capping apparatus of the class described, comprising a conveyor for successively delivering to a predetermined position, each of a succession of cartons each containing a plurality of jars in predetermined arrangement, stop means engageable by the successive cartons for stopping the same in said predetermined position, a cap carrier mounted for vertical reciprocation into proximity to, and from said predetermined carton position, means for effecting such reciprocation of said cap carrier, means for effecting application of caps carried by said carrier to jars in a carton in said predetermined position as an incident to downward movement of said cap carrier, electric switch means engageable by cartons delivered by said conveyor to said predetermined position, and electrically actuated means operative as an incident to such engagement of said switch to initiate cap applying movement of said carrier.

14. In jar capping apparatus, a cap carrying structure comprising an outer frame, a plurality of inner frames pivotally mounted on said outer frame, a plurality of receptacles mounted on each of said inner frames, one of said inner frames being mounted on said outer frame so as to be adjustable relative to another thereof, thereby to facilitate adjustment of said cap carrier to position said cap receptacles in conformity to the spacing of jars of various sizes.

15. A jar capping apparatus comprising means for supporting a plurality of jars in predetermined arrangement, a cap carrier mounted for movement toward and from said supporting means, said cap carrier comprising a frame, a plurality of cap receptacles mounted on said frame in laterally spaced relation to each other and for turning movement on axes normal to the direction in which the carrier is movable as aforesaid, whereby the receptacles are invertable from upwardly facing cap receiving positions to downwardly facing cap discharging positions by turning movement which is independent of the movement of the carrier toward and from said supporting means as aforesaid, said receptacles being arranged on said frame in positions substantially corresponding to the positions of jars disposed on said supporting means as aforesaid, means for effecting movement of said carrier and receptacles toward and from said supporting means and jars positioned thereon as aforesaid, means for effecting turning of said receptacles as to invert the same as aforesaid to face the caps in said receptacles toward jars on said support to thereby position the caps for application to said jars, and means in said receptacles for retaining said caps in said receptacles during the inversion and movement of the receptacles toward said jars.

l6. Jar capping apparatus comprising means for supporting a carton containing a plurality of rows of jars arranged side by side in the carton, means for positioning such carton of jars on said support, a cap carrier mounted for vertical movement toward and from said support, said carrier having means for positioning a plurality of rows of caps in the side by side arrangement of the jars in a carton as aforesaid,

means for automatically feeding caps to said row arrangement in said carrier, and electric switch means actuated as an incident to the positioning of a carton of jars as aforesaid in cap receiving position on said supporting means, and electrically actuated means controlled by said switch means for initiating movement of said carrier toward said support to simultaneously apply the rows'of caps in said carrier to the rows of jars in the carton positioned as aforesaid.

17. Jar capping apparatus of the class described, comprising a conveyor for successively delivering to a predetermined position, each of 'a succession of cartons respectively containing a plurality of jars in predetermined arrangement, carton stop means in the path of movement of cartons advanced by said conveyor for stopping successive cartons in said predetermined position, a cap carrier mounted for reciprocation toward and from said predetermined carton position, means for effecting such reciprocation of said cap carrier, means for effecting application of caps carried by said carrier to jars in a carton in said predetermined position upon movement of said carrier toward jars on said conveyor, and means associated with said stop for initiating a cap applying cycle of operation of the apparatus upon delivery of a carton of jars into engagement with said stop means.

18. In jar capping apparatus of the class described, a vertically movably mounted cap carrier comprising an initially upwardly facing receptacle adapted, when the carrier is in an elevated position, to receive a cap, means mounting said receptacle on said carrier for rotary movement and for turning from upwardly facing cap receiving position to downwardly facing cap applying position, means for effecting turning and rotation of said receptacle and movement of said carrier from an elevated cap receiving position to a lowered cap applying position and for restoring said receptacle to upwardly facing elevated cap receiving position.

19. In jar capping apparatus of the class described, a vertically movably mounted cap carrier comprising an initially upwardly facing receptacle adapted when the carrier is in elevated position to receive a cap, means mounting said receptacle on said carrier for rotary movement and for turning from upwardly facing capreceiving position to downwardly facing capapplying position, means for effecting movement of said carrier from an elevated cap-receiving position to a lowered cap-applying position, means for effecting turning and rotation of said receptacle, means for initiating said rotation and turning movements during an initial portion of the downward movement of said carrier to capapplying positions, for stopping the rotation of said receptacles upon completion of downward movement, and for restoring said receptacles to upwardly facing cap-receiving position during the upward return movement of the carrier to cap-receiving position, cap feeding means for delivering caps to said receptacle, and means for actuating said cap-delivering means upon return of said receptacle from cap-applying position to cap-receiving position.

JOE BOWEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

